we'll have response from sandy levin. >>> you heard about the fun and dysfunction. actor ed burns will talk to us with his movie "the fitzgerald family christmas." all that on "starting point." >> thanks soledad. >>> 43 minutes past the hour. both sides got the memo. everyone quiet as a mouse on capitol hill. when it comes to the looming fiscal cliff crisis, that's a good sign. in 21 days, we go off the cliff and that means drastic tax hikes and spending cuts. congress scheduled to break for the holidays on friday. two sides talking behind the scenes and for a change, all of the posturing and finger pointing has died down, at least for now. shannon travis joins us live. what are you hearing, if anything? >> we're hearing that as you just mentioned, that they are talking, but that's all we're hearing, that's a good sign, that they are talking at this point. i'll read a statement from john boehner's president secretary. "discussions with the white house are taking place, but we have no detail to share about the substance of those conversations. the republican offer ma